A sole note on the NFL

While Roger Goodell has spent his tenure as NFL commissioner attempting to inject a vaccination of morality into its image, Goodell and the team owners may have just made their most moral decision yet by not letting the propagandist of the moral right party a seat at the dinner table. In striking down Rush Limbaugh’s attempts at ownership of the St. Louis Rams, the NFL made their most ethical decision since the two-point conversion.

In a sport where its league anagram is considered offensive to its members (National Football League, please. . .), the League is the embodiment of American privilege. Its owners have all accumulated massive amounts of wealth, they are by overwhelming majority Anglo-Saxon, and symbolize the traditions of a “good old boy” network in sports.

Limbaugh epitomizes the transmogrification of conservative politics into a nihilistic prey on the god-fearing. He speaks in empty rhetoric; proselytizing the Old Testament and Exodus as if they were a Tony Robbins self-help book.

Yes, Limbaugh’s ownership of the St. Louis Rams may have made them the most popular team among the racially insensitive. Perhaps his money and social capital would lure in the new wave of the Great White Hope football player, but, unless green is the only color that matters today, anyone with a moral compass cannot justify supporting the team, needless to say justify playing for the team.

Though there are real questions as to the authenticity in the reporting of Limbaugh’s racial bigotry and nativist oratory; the fact remains that he has a history of well documented racist commentary.

With a sport that is increasingly dominated in play and in fan-base by African Americans, it would have been un-debatably inappropriate to permit an owner who would appoint Taylor Swift and Tobey Keith entertainment directors, who would pass out anti-science literature at the front gate, who would speak of his ownership of the team on a radio show where also regurgitates the propaganda of the Family Research Council and the American Family Association.

Where the NFL has perpetuated a culture contrary to the culture of its majority players, it may have finally recognized the need for racial sensitivity. A silent applaud. . .

What began as a publicity stunt for Limbaugh, similar to Joe Wilson’s “you lie” outburst and the complimenting $1 million in campaign funds he has received, evolved into an obscene ploy to advance his own empty rhetoric. As he already has and as he will continue to, Limbaugh will exploit his rejection as NFL owner as a sign of Obama’s new “black” America.

He is the ideologue who still uses the term “reverse-racism.” He is the guy who stands on the street corner selling DVD copies of “White Man’s Burden” as an account of the world if African Americans were the status quo.

Rush Limbaugh is today’s Father Coughlin.